Children and Special Needs Adults

Special Care For Children 
We give children the extra care they need in an unfamiliar setting.

Please refer to the Before My Surgery and During Your Stay for further tips, as well as the guidelines on this page for children. Following these instructions may prevent delays or cancellation of the surgery.

Drink
Children may have less than 1 cup (8 oz) of clear liquids up to three hours before their arrival. This includes water, apple juice, soft drinks and Kool-Aid. NO milk or orange juice.

Food
Children must not eat anything for eight hours before their arrival. Please do not allow them to suck on candy or swallow toothpaste before surgery.

Parental Care

If the patient is under 18 years old, a parent or legal guardian must accompany the patient and sign the consent form. A parent or guardian will need to accompany the patient in the pre-op area to answer any questions from the pre-op nurse and/or anesthesiologist.

Please do not bring other young children along. If your child’s surgery is scheduled near noon, you may want to bring a lunch for yourself while you are waiting.

Personal Comforts 
Please bring your child’s favorite blanket, stuffed animal or toy for added security.

After Surgery
You will be able to be with your child as soon as he/she is awake and medically safe for transfer after recovery.


Special Care For Special Needs Adults 
We understand that loved ones who depend upon others for daily living require special attention. Besides the guidelines in the Before My Surgery and Day of Surgery, the following tips, will help make care for these adults easier:

Consent
The legal guardian needs to sign the consent for surgery and anesthesia on or before the day of surgery.

For Admission
Please bring the patient’s recent health history and medication information. Be certain to follow the food and drink rules in the Before My Surgery section.

Personal Attendant 
As with other patients, special needs patients require a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult to remain at the center from admission through recovery. A personal attendant will be required to stay with the patient for 24 hours after discharge.